A "Massive" and "Unprecedented" Louisiana Turnout Drive
posted by Josh Goodman
Rule of thumb: When a voter registration drive is described as massive, that means it's modest. When it's described as historic, that means it's typical. And when it's described as unprecedented, perhaps you should take notice -- but perhaps not.
With that note of skepticism, I'll pass along this report from John Maginnis' (subscription-only) LaPolitics Weekly:
A massive voter registration drive backed by the Louisiana Democratic Party has deluged parish registrar offices with tens of thousands of applications, possibly resulting in a significant increase of Democrats going to the polls this fall. Registrars in the four largest parishes report that the unprecedented volume, along with problems in verifying some of the data, are clogging the system and could cause confusion and delays on Election Day in November.
"I've seen nothing as massive as some of these drives going on," said Jefferson Registrar of Voters Dennis DiMarco, echoing the assessments of officials in Caddo, East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes.
State Democratic party spokesman Brian Walsh said the drive has nearly reached its goal of 70,000 applications from areas described as low-income and under-represented. He said the party is paying Voting Is Power (VIP), a Washington, D.C.-based business, to hire and train canvassers to go door to door. Registrars say the applicants are predominantly African-American, in some parishes over 95 percent.
There are a couple of reasons why, despite my cautions, you might want to put some stock in this report. First, Maginnis is probably the most astute observer of Louisiana politics there is. And, secondly, elections officials, not just the people organizing the registration drive, are talking up its significance.
I'm happy to call Louisiana home again! Katrina tried to wash me away but, I floated back. I just mailed my voter registration card and eagerly look forward to casting my ballot in November.
Posted by: Home Again | June 09, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I'm 17 yrs old in Lafayette, LA, and I mailed my voter registration card a few weeks ago. I will without a doubt vote for Barack Obama in November!
Posted by: Travis Lapoint | June 09, 2008 at 10:42 PM
After what happened during Katrina people should not be surprised that voters want their voice to be heard during the elections.
Posted by: Dave | June 10, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I pray that all Dems in LA will not just register to vote, but will actually come out to vote in the GE! The more voters for Obama the greater his chances of winning against McSame who has done nothing to help LA and was enjoying his 69th birthday "cake" with Bush! Tells one just how much he "CARES" about LA and its residents!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4
Posted by: Disparaged | June 10, 2008 at 05:43 AM
It is important that people will actually go and vote in November, people want change, and they are the ones who can deliver it!
Posted by: Mark Kiernan | June 10, 2008 at 07:16 AM